Commission starts the deployment phase for air traffic management of the future
2 Jul 2014 03:41 PM
The European Commission
has adopted a first set of essential changes for the modernisation of the
European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system known as the "Pilot Common
Project". This is the first of a series of projects resulting from
SESAR, the technological pillar of the Single European Sky.
By the application of innovative
technologies and more efficient operational procedures, the Pilot Common
Project will bring benefits in terms of safety, environment, capacity and
cost-efficiency for the whole ATM network, with a positive impact for
passengers and the whole air transport sector. The timely deployment of
these projects will reinforce the European industry's leading role on the
global scene and are a unique opportunity for Europe's
economy.
European Commission
Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: "We need
to deliver ambitious reforms in what is by now an outdated air traffic
management system. The Pilot Common Project is a major milestone for SESAR and
towards the achievement of the Single European Sky. Most importantly it shows
that we are able and willing to make the necessary changes."
This project is the result of a
partnership between ATM stakeholders, including Eurocontrol, the Commission and
the Member States to make operational the innovative concepts defined in the
European ATM Master Plan - developed and validated in the SESAR Joint
Undertaking. Building on years of R&D and preparation, SESAR is now at the
final and most important stage, the deployment of innovative solutions to
modernise the European ATM system.
The main benefits expected from
this first set of changes are:
-
a reduction of aircraft
fuel burn, thanks to more efficient flight trajectories, and
-
productivity gains thanks to the
optimisation of the provision for air navigation services through better
operational procedures and better information sharing between controllers and
pilots.
The final aim of the SESAR
project is:
-
Cutting ATM-related expenses for
airspace users in half
-
Reducing by 10% the effects
flights have on the environment
-
Delivering a 3-fold increase in
capacity which will also reduce delays both on the ground and in the
air
-
Improving safety by a factor of
10.
Background
information
For more information about the
SESAR joint undertaking see: IP/13/664
For more information about the
Single European Sky initiative see: IP/13/523
Next steps
This was the first step in the
operational deployment of the SESAR project. The next steps will be the
establishment of the Deployment Manager and the launch of the calls for the
implementation of each project.
The Deployment Manager will
coordinate the deployment of the Pilot Common Project with all operational
stakeholders based on a Deployment Programme. It is expected to be in place by
the end of 2014.
Follow @SiimKallasEU
Contacts :
Helen
Kearns (+32 2 298 76 38)
Dale Kidd (+32
2 295 74 61)
For the
public: Europe Direct by
phone 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by email
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